Update on fire fighter recruitment campaign

Henley fire station has been campaigning to recruit more On Call Retained fire fighters.

The station in West Street, is staffed entirely by On Call Retained fire fighters who have main jobs during the day but are on call and can be summoned to attend emergencies both during the day – if they work in the local area or night-time if they live nearby.

In the last year three new Firefighters have joined the team and are settling in well to station life and been part of the On Call crew. Mr Baldwin, who works for Henley Town Council’s Park Service, said: “I wanted to join Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service to give me a new challenge and the opportunity to do some things I have never done before.”

Another three people are going through the challenging selection process over the next few months. These include written and physical tests.

Crews will continue to visit the businesses and homes in the local area to see if a local residents or workers are interested in becoming a firefighter.

Henley fire station employs 12 firefighters but needs about 17 to function at its best. The shortage means staff have had to work extra shifts and be on call more to fill gaps in the service.

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Complete a home fire risk check

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging residents to make sure they are fully aware of the fire hazards which commonly exist throughout the home, how to identify them and what to do should a fire occur, by completing a quick online home fire risk check.